Embracing new beginnings

My story started 33 years ago. I was 15 when I met my first boyfriend, and that was the start of quite a few abusive toxic relationships. By the time that relationship was finished, I was medicating with numerous anti-depressants and spent several days a week binge drinking and getting into fights. In fact, I didn’t feel like it was a good day out unless I had an argument or fight with someone. I didn’t have any respect for anyone, especially myself. Somehow through all of this, I managed to maintain brilliant relationships with my family.

My lack of self-respect led to me having numerous encounters with men in the hope that one day someone would love me. I met the father of my kids at 20 and I thought that was it, I had found the love of my life. I stopped drinking and I got pregnant. Unfortunately, when I was 21, four weeks after the birth of my daughter my brother died suddenly. All I wanted to do was get plastered every day, however my maternal instinct took over and I did not go back to my old ways.

What I wasn’t expecting was the change in my relationship. The emotional and financial abuse was extreme. It took me 10 years to get out. I jumped straight from that one into another. It took him a couple of months before he started gaslighting me. He moved me away from family and didn’t want me to work. He even faked a disability to keep me at home.

I don’t know what changed my mindset, but I knew that nothing was going to change if I stayed in this relationship. I got a job, saved for my own car and then asked him to leave. It was the best decision of my life. I started to put healthy things in place to help with my extreme emotions. I haven’t looked back.

All this life experience is what led me to ITS. I heard there was a job by word of mouth and the rest as they say is history. I love my job here. I love the skills we teach. They really do make a difference. I’m currently in the role of acting Team Manager, and I’m enjoying this role.

Thanks for reading.